With local council elections coming up next year, have you thought about standing for election and representing your local community?
At the end of their 4-year term all parish councillors effectively retire. Any intent to re-stand is notified to Swale Borough Council by means of a nomination form. At the same time, any other qualifying resident of the parish can also submit their candidacy to Swale. At the close of registration the clerk is notified of the number of candidates. The cut off date for nominations is approximately 1 month before the election on 7th May 2015.
If there are more candidates than the designated number of councillors (currently 9 for Upchurch) there will need to be a local election. If this is not the case then these candidates automatically form the next parish council. They will then be in a position to advertise the vacancies and 'co-opt' applicants as and when they can.
An election does come at a cost to village residents via your council tax in order for Swale to facilitate it and will take place at the same time as the Borough elections.
This is your opportunity to get involved in local council business!
So, if you are interested in becoming a parish councillor please contact the clerk (clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk) and we will arrange for appropriate information and forms to be made available.
Regards
Sara Tucker
Chairman, Upchurch Parish Council
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